World Wellbeing Week – 26th June to 30th June 2023
World Wellbeing Week – 26th June to 30th June 2023
‘Wellbeing’ – a hot buzz word at the moment, but what does it actually mean? The dictionary tells us that it is “the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy”. In the 2020s though, it tends to mean more – not just happiness but whole life fulfillment. According to psychologists, there are several elements to achieving this:
- Good mental health
- High life satisfaction
- Sense of meaning or purpose
- Being able to manage stress
- Feeling physically well
- Feeling in control
The word ‘Wellbeing’ is used in many different contexts too, for example it can be used to talk about how we feel about something, what feels possible at the moment and how well we’re coping with everyday life. It needs to be noted that having good mental health doesn’t mean you are always feeling ‘happy-go-lucky’ as the expression goes. No one is ever unaffected by the experiences that life throws at us but someone with poor mental health struggles to cope with these difficulties. External factors like economic and social conditions play a big role in this. Those with good mental wellbeing though, can manage the stresses of life better by finding ways to look after their physical and mental health. It is so important to look after these different areas of your health (physical, mental and emotional) in order to achieve good wellbeing overall.
As a business who designs and creates products for babies and children, we have a strong interest in children’s wellbeing. We are often asking ourselves – how can our products benefit the lives of children and parents more? This poses the question in general – how can we as adults improve and support children’s wellbeing? According to research carried out by child development practitioners, children’s wellbeing is a combination of their physical, mental, emotional and social health. From an early age, parents should try to foster positive wellbeing in their children. Little ones learn mostly everything from their care-givers and teaching wellbeing is no different than teaching them how to walk, for example. Children are mimics – the great observers of life and being a good role model for positive wellbeing will foster their own positive attitudes towards it.
According to the experts, there are certain ways we can boost a child’s wellbeing:
Physical Activity:
Exercise is a massive part of staying strong both within the mind and body. This is especially important for children. Physical exertion is an easy way to let go of stress and to encourage happy hormones. Fresh air after a day at school, playing a sport/hobby or just going outside to play can all induce positive mood in children.
Technology time:
There is undoubtedly SO much technology at children’s fingertips these days and it is therefore vital to restrict their amount of screen-time in a day. In an ideal world, children should be limited to a maximum of two hours of technology-time every day. Research has also shown that by setting clear parameters and boundaries from an early age, children learn good habits and good self-control later in life.
Strong and positive relationships:
Children learn to share, listen, compromise and develop conflict resolution skills by spending time with friends and family. By developing healthy, strong and positive relationships with others children really can thrive and in turn, so does their overall wellbeing.
Resilience:
The topic of relationships flows nicely into the topic of resilience. Being resilient is one of the most important qualities a child can possess. Being persistent and not giving up – building one’s stamina to life is essential. Being able to learn from mistakes, listen and accept feedback is a hard skill to learn as a child but a necessary one. Learning how to be resilient helps to maintain a positive wellbeing. Those children that can literally ‘bounce back’ and move forward from previous problems, develop what is known as a ‘strong growth mindset’.
Sleep:
The power of sleep should never be underestimated. All those baby experts don’t harp on about establishing a good sleep routine for no reason. As a parent, making sure that your little one gets enough sleep each night is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Nighttime routine, like having a bath, reading a story or listening to quiet music are great ways to ‘wind-down’ your child. Quality sleep is such an important part of maintaining a child’s good mental and physical wellbeing.
Sheepskin has been found to promote better sleep - in babies, children and adults. Our baby sheepskins are shorn to a shorter length making them extra springy and supportive, and therefore ideal for young ones. Whether it be our sheepskin pram liners, baby rug comforters or footmuffs, all our sheepskin baby products offer comfort and reassurance, helping your little one settle all year-round. Hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, comforting, tactile and practical – we can’t think of a better textile for a baby or child to use. Check out the following link below to browse our summer baby sheepskin products. All of which will are excellent at literally ‘cradling’ your little one to sleep:
https://www.naturallysheepskins.co.uk/
Finally, not forgetting that parents need to have positive wellbeing in order to instill it in their children, the charity MIND have conducted some research into how to achieve this. In conjunction with the New Economics Foundation, MIND believes that there are five tried and tested ways to good wellbeing:
- Connect – social relationships act as a buffer against mental illness for all ages.
- Be active – physical exercise can combat against anxiety and depression.
- Take notice – research has shown that being aware of what is going on in the present has a positive correlation with enhanced wellbeing.
- Keep learning – a good way to boost self-confidence/self-worth and meet new people.
- Give – studies show that people are more likely to rate themselves as ‘happy’ if they report a greater interest in helping others.
So, during this World Wellbeing Week, why not take a little time to take stock of your own wellbeing and your loved-ones’ wellbeing? Why not practise a little bit of self-love too by doing something you really enjoy or something you really enjoy doing as a family? Good wellbeing is so important!